Johor royal family announces project to build homes below RM200,000

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 22): Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibrahim yesterday announced the “Rumah Impian Bangsa Johor” affordable housing scheme for Johoreans.

“The project will be under the auspices of the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation — an effort by the Johor Royal Family to ease the burden of the people,” the Johor crown prince said on his official Facebook page yesterday, reported the Malay Mail.

He said the project is non-profit and will include amenities such as a multi-purpose hall, a park, shops and a motel that will be built and funded “by himself and his father”, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, said the report.

A report by The Star noted that prices for single-storey terraced homes will start at RM70,000 while the double-storey terraced units will be priced below RM200,000. Each unit will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be “Johoreans”, have a household monthly income of less than RM5,000, must not be the eldest or only child and must not own other property, reported The Star.

The daily also reported that Tunku Ismail said the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation will appoint a project manager and contractor to build the homes “in accordance with Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's specifications”.

"His Majesty the Sultan of Johor decrees for a fair distribution amongst Malays, Chinese and Indians. His Majesty intends to build a strong social spirit," Tunku Ismail said in his Facebook announcement. 

He explained that a computerised system will be used to screen applicants, who “will also have to pass a selection committee” that will include the Secretary of State and board members of the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation, reported the Malay Mail.